Don’t Be Bossy...Like the World!

Today, we continue in Mark’s Gospel and chapter ten and verse 35.  I have entitled this morning’s message, “Don’t Be Bossy…Like the World!”

 

This morning we move from Jesus’ third announcement of His death and resurrection to a very important lesson Christian discipleship.

 

 

1. A Request for Privilege, Mark 10:35-40

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”  36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”  38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”  39 They said to Him, “We are able.”  So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” 

 

Notice that James and John asked the question in 10:35-37.  Matthew 20 tells us that their mother, Salome, was also involved in this event.  Perhaps James and John were cousins of Jesus, and if so, by involving their mother, who would have been Jesus’ aunt, maybe they were trying to take advantage of some family favor.

 

Regardless, James and John recognized Jesus as King and Messiah.  However, they failed to understand the reality of what His kingdom what entail. 

 

They asked for the two most privileged positions of any king.  The seat at his right was the most important and favored position.  The seat to his left was the second.  James and John asked to occupy both.

 

Notice also that Jesus answered their question in 10:38-40.  By the way, please see that Jesus didn’t just give them a blank check.  He thought before He answered which is a good model for us to follow because answering too quickly or before we think can prove imprudent.  See Mark 6:22-23 and Proverbs 29:30.

 

Mark 6:22-23, 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

 

Proverbs 29:20, 20 Do you see a man hasty in his words?  There is more hope for a fool than for him.

 

Jesus answered their question with a question in verse 38.  He asked if they could drink of the same cup and partake in the same baptism.  Both parts of this question deserve further explanation. 

 

In essence, Jesus was asking if they were willing to suffer as He was going to suffer.  In the OT, the idea of the LORD’s cup is often a sign or symbol of God’s wrath against sin as it is here. 

 

In the same way, Jesus was not speaking of what you and I think of as baptism.  He was speaking of the literal act of being engulfed by water as calamity.  It was a sign of death and a feeling of torment.  Consider Luke 12:50. 

 

Luke 12:50, 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!

 

Psalm 69:2, 2 I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me.

 

Psalm 69:15, 15 Let not the floodwater overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth on me.

 

Surprisingly enough, both James and John answered they could endure what Jesus would endure, and to some degree, they did.  James was the first disciple who was martyred.  He was beheaded in AD 44. 

 

John certainly experienced calamity as he was exiled to the island of Patmos where he received and then recorded his revelation from the Lord, and even though they both did suffer, their suffering was not completely like Jesus’ since their suffering did not end in redemption for humanity.

 

In the end, Jesus told them in verse 40 that their request for privilege was not His to give.  We can infer that only God could grant their request, and they would have to wait on that.

 

By the way, Jesus recognized and was obedient to His Father, and children, you need to notice Jesus’ example and remember God’s Word in Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6.

 

Exodus 20:12, 12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

 

Ephesians 6:1-3, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

 

 

1. A Recipe for Prosperity, Mark 10:41-44

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

 

This recipe for prosperity includes a pattern to refuse in Mark 10:41-42.  The other disciples were indignant or mad that James and John had beaten them to the punch.  Certainly, they too wanted positions of privilege.

 

However, Jesus reminded them that His kingdom would not operate like the kingdoms of the world.  His kingdom would not be a kingdom of authority and force and domination like they knew to be true with Gentiles or lost people.  In other words, don’t be bossy like the world. 

 

Instead, this recipe for prosperity includes a paradox to remember, Mark 10:43-44.  If you wish to be great, you must be a servant or a table waiter, literally a deacon.  If you wish to be first, you must be a slave.

 

This paradoxical truth of greatness being found through serving others can tremendous application for EBC.

 

Think about what that would mean for husbands to serve their wives instead of trying to boss them.  Think about what that would mean for wives to serve their husbands instead of trying to boss them.

 

What about at your jobs?  Instead of bossing the other employees, what would it mean for you to serve them? 

 

In our church, instead of bossing others and only thinking about you, serve others with where you park, where you sit, what songs we sing, and serving in ministries like our Sunday morning nursery workers.

 

Furthermore, later this month, you are going to hear testimonies of three deacon candidates as we consider these men officially serving EBC from that office. 

 

The way of the world is bossing others.  The way of Christ is serving others. Don’t be bossy like the world.

 

• A Ransom for People, Mark 10:45

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

 

This verse is the summary verse for the entire book of Mark’s gospel.  Here we see that Jesus came to accomplish two goals: He came to save, and He came to serve.

 

He came to pay the ransom to God for the souls of sinners.  He died in our place so that we would not have to die.  He was our substitute. 

 

He came to serve.  He came to serve humanity rather than being served like any other king.   He did this for His entire earthly life.

 

 

Conclusions

You might respond to today’s message in one of at least two ways:

 

1. Since Jesus died on the cross for your sins, you can receive Him today as Lord and Savior by believing in Him and repenting of your sins.
2. You can begin serving your fellow church members as was Jesus’ example to us.

 

Regardless, Jesus came to serve rather to be served.  As His followers, we must do the same!